The state of New England welcomes the riders and teams that have entered this year's Race of the Minutemen. The 6th edition of RotM starts on sunday, and it would be an understatement to say there is a strong field. As Paul Revere would have wanted, the American troops are ready to annihilate the foreigners.
  
  With Meadows and Mulligan as their leaders it could be the first victory of a yankee, after the disgrace of an Iranian winning in the last edition. And if one of them wins, American schoolchildren would be learning about "Mulligan and Meadows' ride" in stead of "Paul Revere's Ride." But let's not jump the gun and see who is in and with what prospects.
  
  Ultrajectum
  RotM (edition 1) was the first tour of this division 6 team and therefore it has a special place in the heart of manager Priem. Darell Randel was chosen to captain the team altough he hasn't been riding very strong this season. Ultrajectum brings good support and have riders like Plagge and Haney that could surprise in the none climbing stages.
  
  Rooney17
  Afanasy Tyannikov, nothing else. Dominated last years TT stages, but was in better shape. He should claim 2 podium spots in both TT stages no matter what. Did surprisingly good in the parade race too, will he repeat this success?
  
  TheRhys
  One special rider is in the lineup. Eddie Ebershold was already present in the first edition of this race and will guide his younger successor Mason Mulligan. He deserves nothing less then a podium spot in Faneuil Hall. One of the strongest teams; But will his lack of timetrial skills prevent him to claim the top spot?
  
  sivac
  Wow, Rahim (7th in GC edition 1) as teammate! Strong team, very good captain. Every team will focus on Gusmao's wheel, he looks like the guy to beat. The whole season was planned around RotM and the Carioca kid looks ready to claim his victory. Gusmao must be able to create a gap in the TT's and keep the Americans on a safe distance.
  
  Farouk
  Pier Abbenbroek lacks form but could surpise in the flat stages. A nice allrounder with some good leadouts should be enough to claim some cash and top 9 spots. In my opinion he won't compete for a top 9 in the GC.
  
  SK12KOTH
  Three african teams crossed the Atlantic to join Rotm, and this one is in for fun. Declan Peter is one for the future, and is certainly good enough to ride the mountains with the best. He doesn't have too much support and doesn't like to compete against the clock. Maybe a sneaky top 9 in one of the climbing stages.
  
  Supernutz
  Local favourite Wesley Meadows is certainly one to watch. With the home soil advantage and immaculate form it will be hard

to stop him. He will rely heavily on Farmer and Colombo to guide him to the last mountain and after that he should be able to finish it. Another big GC favourite, but needs to stay close to Randel and Gusmao in the timetrials.
  
  Albatros
  Albanian outfit Albatros sends a surprising mixture of semi-climbers and a sprinter. Gilbert Roogaars and his team will probably not catch much attention, maybe he should try a breakaway in stage 2. No Guts no Glory!
  
  VC Botafogo
  The Boys from Brazil are here with the hilly sprinter Grubs. With his teammates he is a big candidate for stage 2. But i would not be surprised if he does really well in stage six too. And with homegrown Juliano Pelentir they have a prologue specialist too.
  
  jonathanas
  What to say about this team. Okay to put it bluntly: They Suck. Manager Jonah signed up for one reason only; Because he could. The riders will feel like on an all expenses paid roadtrip. I think the riders will try to breakaway each stage and if they succeed it will be stage 2.
  
  Bonkov Cycling
  Slightly better then Jonathanas but still not one of the top teams this tour. Captain Brada won't be seen near the podium places. If he gets lucky (on the bike, i mean) he might get a top 9 somewhere. Frankly i would eat my pen if he does.
  
  PAN
  Another breakaway team. Yermolayev could find some cash in the TT's. The rest of the team will be focussing on the nightlife and try getting action in the local stripjoints. Altough with the way they look that would be even harder then during the race.
  
  Team Kernow
  Allround climber Prangsgaard is looking good for this one. He is in great shape and brings good suporting riders. He is not the best climber of the pack but if all goes well and he has a bit of luck, who knows, this might be his year. The competition is fierce but he could just be the best of the rest.
  
  Draken Giants
  Schoeman is a nice climber and should be able to get a top 9 somewhere, his support is not the best in the world but i think it is sufficient. For the GC there is no hope for Schoeman as he sucks in TT's. Manager Piet Oros will be happy just getting some money and points.
  
  Silver Giant
  The 3rd African team is not in for fun. They are here with superb sprinter Cerveira and nice allrounder Ishyaka. Cerveira is top favorite for stage 2 and 6 but he brings only 1 LO. Ishyaka is all alone, but still could get a result somewhere.
  
  
  Socka cycling team
  A sprinting team in RotM? Yes! Certainly good enough to battle with Plagge, Roels and Cerveira for the 2 flatter

stages. Ken-ichiro-San does not get nervous anymore as he has seen it all. He will aim for the SC too and should bring a load of cash back to europe.
  
  PRS
  Last team to signup before the reserved spots locked down. Looking for results in the flat stages and the ITT. Not the strongest of teams but decent enough to try some breakaways.
  
  Cyclistsss
  Same tactics as last seasons Fast on Wheels and RotM for this team. Chris Bel for the sprints and Jed Troy for the TT's. If Bel gets lucky he most likely scores in 2 stages. Troy looks a bit underpowered for the long TT but certainly looks good enough for the prologue.
  
  California Mist
  Right before the market closed the surfdudes from california signed up. And they are not in for working on their tan. They are here with young belgian powerhouse Kristiaan Roels. And with the leadouts they have send he is looking at 2 podium spots. Let's see if Kristiaan rules.
  
  Britcycles
  Last but not least manager ryant signed up with allround sprinter Leon Morison. Last season he did the same in fast on wheels with Prieto and brought home a whopping 5th in the GC. That won't be happening in RotM but 2 results should be possible. Further he is an outsider in the prologue too.
  
  Revere’s Midnight Ride (ITT)
  ***** Afanasy Tyannikov
  **** Wesley Meadows
  *** Reginald Haney, Juliano Pelentir, Marat Yermolayev, Jed Troy
  ** Jochem Ommen, Sten Svenningsen, Leon Morison
  
  Lexington - Laconia
  **** Takayama Ken-ichiro
  *** Graciano Cerveira, Philippe Grubbs, Kristiaan Roels, Leon Morison
  ** Wit Pelgrims, Pier Abbenbroek
  
  Laconia - Littleton
  **** Mason Mulligan
  *** Evaristo Gusmão, Wesley Meadows
  ** Darell Randel
  
  Littleton - Mt. Jefferson
  **** Mason Mulligan
  *** Evaristo Gusmão, Wesley Meadows
  ** Darell Randel
  
  Mt. Washington ITT
  **** Reginald Haney, Afanasy Tyannikov
  *** Evaristo Gusmão, Wesley Meadows
  ** Darell Randel, Marat Yermolayev
  
  Concord - Faneuil Hall
  *** Graciano Cerveira, Kristiaan Roels
  ** Philip Plagge, Takayama Ken-ichiro, Leon Morison
  
  GC
  *** Wesley Meadows
  ** Mason Mulligan, Evaristo Gusmão
  * Darell Randel
  
  Written by pundit Pees from ultrajectum to OCM Magazine